MIKE ASHLEY: Allegations of mixing drinking with business 'intended to damage my reputation'

LONDON — The billionaire founder of Sports Direct has rejected
claims that he often conducts business while drinking
heavily and accused his former business partner, who made the
claim, of trying to "damage" his reputation.

Mike Ashley said in a witness statement presented at court in
London on Wednesday that former advisor Jeff Blue "has made
certain allegations in his statement which are intended to damage
my and/or Sports Direct's reputation."

Blue is suing Ashley for alleged non-payment of a bonus. Blue
claims Ashley agreed to pay him a £15 million bonus if he could
help double Sports Direct's share price to £8. The deal was
allegedly struck during a meet up at the Horse & Groom
pub in London in February 2013.

Ashley claims Blue's lurid witness statement is simply an attempt
to damage his reputation. Sports Directs' founder says: "It is
clear that this is the main purpose of these allegations as he
had threatened to in pre-action correspondence that he would
attempt to do so."

Ashley is due to take the stand as a witness on Wednesday
afternoon to give evidence. The Newcastle United owner arrived at
court on Wednesday morning looking relaxed, wearing a dark blue
tie with his suit jacket slung over his shoulder.

Peter Tracey and Simon McEvoy, bankers who also attended the
Horse & Groom pub meeting in 2013, gave evidence in the
morning session on Wednesday.

McEvoy, who took the stand first, told the court: "For me,
it was basically just a laugh in the pub," and said he "could not
actually believe" Blue was trying to pursue the claim.

Tracey described the bonus discussion as "banter" and said: "Why
would you be held to a chat in the pub?"

In his witness testimony, Ashley says: "I was asked by Mr Blue to
make it a fun night and sell SDI [Sports Direct International]
and myself as potential clients to ESIB [Espirito Santo, the
investment bank Tracey and McEvoy represented].

"It was drinking down the pub — I was expecting to have a few
drinks and a good time with the brokers, nothing more."

Describing the night at the Horse & Groom, Tracey told the
court: "I wish you could have been there... a billionaire, one
who owns a football club, standing there talking about life. It
was fascinating. It was great."